News
Local polls candidates to knock on doors during New Year break
View(s):By Kasun Warakapitiya
Mainstream political parties are set to continue their campaigns irrespective of the New Year holidays with only a month remaining for the local government elections.
The main opposition party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) plans to continue ground level campaigning during the Avurudu season.
The national organiser, Tissa Attanayake told the Sunday Times that candidates will go house to house within wards during the New Year period and connect with people, and even win the votes of people who are estranged from the party.
Mr Attanayake said campaigns have begun at the ground level. Party leader Sajith Premadasa, had already held 17 district level meetings with candidates and organisers by Friday. The meetings were held to give directions and plan campaigns.
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s (SLPP) strategy differed from the SJB as they relied more on maintaining the buildup of popularity, therefore they divided their party campaign into two segments to raise interest among voters.
Party General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said that the campaign consists of “pre Sinhala and Tamil new year campaign and post new year campaign’’.
He said the pre New Year campaign would focus on educating candidates, setting up action plans, organising activities, while the post New Year campaign focuses on reaching the people and having a rigorous campaign targeting victory.
He said the candidates kicked off their campaign from Akuressa on Tuesday, March 25 where they had their meetings. Meanwhile the meetings held under the leadership of SLPP National organiser Namal Rajapaksa began from Kotte on Wednesday. The National People’s Power (NPP) said it is engaged in the initial planning of campaign activities for the elections.
According to the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Namal Karunaratne the NPP would not put much energy for the campaign during the pre-election period, but that a robust campaign will begin.
Political party members after handing over nominations. Pix by Akila Jayawardena
“These days we are involved in basic preparations. As the party in power, we changed the political culture and plan to carry out our campaign forward without the use of state property and well as free of violence,’’ he said He said that the theme is to take forward the government’s action plan by securing power in local government bodies.
Meanwhile the United National Party (UNP) too, is campaigning despite the New Year holidays. National list Parliamentarian, Ravi Karunanayake said local government candidates are campaigning and will continue to maintain the interest among voters.
Some nominations of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), which is beset with internal struggles, were rejected last week.
The SLFP faction contesting under the People’s Freedom Alliances said 20 nominations were rejected.
SLFP’s senior deputy chairman Mahinda Amaraweera said: “Even though it’s the New Year period, an election is called, then during the time given we will campaign.’’
| Maximum spending per voter announced The Election Commission this week announced spending limits for each local government institution, based on the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act, No. 3 of 2023. EC Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake said the lowest amount is set for Mannar Pradeshiya Sabha (Rs 74), while the highest is set for Lahugala Pradeshiya Sabha (Rs 160). Mr Ratnayake said the candidates for the division can spend 50% of the amount, while 30% can be spent by a political party, and the remaining 20% can be spent by all the candidates in the additional list. | |
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